This week David Drew discusses Noise Action Week WHENEVER I get on a train I veer towards carriage A, the quiet carriage. Of course I plead guilty to making the odd mobile phone call (not from carriage A of course) but I do welcome quietness and certainly welcome respite from incessant mobile phone calls which some seem addicted to.

What brings this to my attention is that coming up shortly is Noise Action Week planned from May 18 – 22.

Now Noise Action Week is aimed at a number of key targets. In summary it * Encourages everyone to consider noises we make and noise that bothers us, and what can be done to reduce it * Raises awareness of mediation services particularly in the world of housing which help people tackle noise problems * Promotes communication and consideration between neighbours * Educates and informs noise makers and sufferers about the impact noise can have on our lives * Promotes practice solutions to everyday noise problems.

Pleasingly the campaign has given plenty notice of itself this year. Whilst I accept that there are now weeks for all sorts of issues this is an important one that I hope readers will take some notice of.

I get regular complaints about noise in my postbag, phone calls and emails. I find that some people’s obliviousness to the noise and inconvenience they cause to others to be one of the most intolerant aspects of modern society. It is also bad for themselves as if you live in noise evidence points to the eventual damage that can do to hearing and other senses.

Key aspects of this can be traffic noise – one must be aware that one of the main arguments against Heathrow’s third runway is the disruption this will cause to people’s lives by the impact of ever rising noise levels despite assurances to the contrary.

I hope that in Stroud we will take notice of this important week by recognising that noise does matter and that we could do much more to abate it. If you want to find out more about Noise Action Week they have a web site at www.noiseactionweek.org.uk or you can register to support it at noiseactionweek@environmental-protection.org.uk. Noise is often the hidden danger that we all face and there is no excuse for brushing it under the carpet.